While it is true that we have been pushed into the most trying of times owing to COVID-19, there are still four other crucial barriers that threaten our survival: the food and water crises, declining resources, and depleting or dangerous energy supplies.

Sri Lanka is hardly an anomaly in this battle, as we cope with a fair share of these difficulties. Sri Lanka is a nation with a burgeoning population—one that depends largely on traditional agriculture—with many villages still failing to acquire clean water or power.

We have a history of delayed technology adoption that has been shown to be a miscalculation in the present context. In addition to this, our dependence on nonrenewable resources and the potential hazards presented by climate change put us in a dangerous situation.

What if these impediments could be conquered by using the innovative innovation that is now at our disposal? What if our very own indigenous entrepreneurs could help deliver the proper answers to these global issues?

That is the purpose of the 4Revs Innovation Challenge, a unique and co-creative ecosystem that intends to assist mankind overcome these challenges in the period of one generation (2020–2025). (2020–2025).

The initiative was launched by NELIS (Next Leaders’ Initiative for Sustainability) and Socialab, a Latin-American innovation network, who have partnered with corporations, social ventures, sustainability practitioners and entrepreneurs, educators, public and civil organisations, and creative minds across six continents to inspire and implement next-generation initiatives in each of the "4Revs".

The "4Revs," or "4 Revolutions," indicate four survival concerns that demand inventive and sustainable solutions, namely, water, food, energy, and resources. The challenge asks for companies that are already in the market and are contributing to at least one of the aforementioned revolutions in a unique manner.

 

While it is true that we have been pushed into the most trying of times owing to COVID-19, there are still four other crucial barriers that threaten our survival: the food and water crises, declining resources, and depleting or dangerous energy supplies.

Sri Lanka is hardly an anomaly in this battle, as we cope with a fair share of these difficulties. Sri Lanka is a nation with a burgeoning population—one that depends largely on traditional agriculture—with many villages still failing to acquire clean water or power.

We have a history of delayed technology adoption that has been shown a miscalculation in the present context. In addition to this, our dependence on nonrenewable resources and the potential hazards presented by climate change puts us in a dangerous situation.

What if these impediments could be conquered by using innovative innovation that is now at our disposal? What if our very own, indigenous entrepreneurs could assist deliver the proper answers to these global issues?

That is the purpose of the 4Revs Innovation Challenge, a unique and co-creative ecosystem that intends to assist mankind overcome these challenges in the period of one generation (2020-2025). (2020-2025).

The initiative was launched by NELIS (Next Leaders’ Initiative for Sustainability) and Socialab, a Latin-American innovation network, who have partnered with corporations, social ventures, sustainability practitioners and entrepreneurs, educators, public and civil organisations, and creative minds across six continents to inspire and implement next-generation initiatives in each of the ‘4Revs’.

The ‘4Revs’, or ‘4 Revolutions’, indicate four survival concerns that demand inventive and sustainable solutions; namely, water, food, energy and resources. The challenge asks for companies that are already in the market and are contributing to at least one of the aforementioned revolutions in a unique manner.

 

The Process

The challenge is presently available for ideas, the deadline for which is September 8th. Applicants will be able to engage with diverse partners throughout the globe who, like them, are trying to produce innovative and sustainable concepts.

Upon receiving the ideas, 50 finalists will be picked from all the applications, all of which will have access to the 4Revs platform, where their business will be presented as a case study for the community to consult. The site promotes contacts between the 4Revs community and the finalists if they are interested in cooperating with them.

The finalists will be able to view additional instances, discussion groups, and contact organizations that are members of 4Revs, such as Salesforce, Toshiba, Epson, Daiken, Mauri Group, Meiji, among others.

Of the 50 finalists, eight winners will be selected to participate in a business round with the 4Revs firms, a venue where each startup will meet for 20 minutes with a representative from each company to explore possible business prospects. The winners will also be provided a one-on-one work session with three investment funds—Village Capital, Yunus SB, and NEsST—to assess their investment preparedness.

Interested parties should visit www.4revsinnovationchallenge.com or contact Socialab Colombia Project Coordinator Ana María Figueroa through email at contact@socialab.com for additional information.